MTU Establishes English Education ProgramBy Ember Sullivan

HOUGHTON--Now Michigan Tech students can be certified to teach not only
secondary mathematics, science, and social science, but also English.

"The addition of an education program for secondary teachers of English
is an important step toward broadening degree options at Michigan Tech,"
said Gary Neumann, executive director of enrollment management. "MTU graduates
who have pursued teaching careers in math and science are considered to
be among the best educators in high schools throughout the state and the
nation."

Dr. Charles Nelson, associate professor of Humanities and English Education
advisor, is happy about the program's addition. "For many years, a long-standing
'gentlemen's agreement' between Tech and Northern Michigan University
kept us from establishing secondary education certification for English
majors," he said.

"The agreement, simply stated, implied that each university would focus
on the programs they were known for MTU for engineering and sciences,
NMU for education. When NMU established a pre-engineering curriculum,
we didn't feel it would be unfair to move forward with our own certification
for high school English teachers at MTU, " said Nelson.

Nelson also said that having the degree program gives local residents
more choices for areas of study at MTU. "I wouldn't have commuted to Northern
to get my teaching degree," said Bill Wilson, an English Education student
at Tech. "Thats why it's convenient to have this program in the area."

According to Nelson, many previous English majors would attend Tech for
three years, then transfer to Northern for their secondary teacher certification.

"Having the state certification here at Tech will save many area students
from having to commute to Marquette, or even from moving there for a year,"
said Nelson.

The number of students in the program has grown quickly since last September,
when secondary English education certification was approved. Another advisor,
Jean Blanning, assists Nelson with the 25-30 students currently enrolled.

"More Michigan Tech-educated teachers in high school classrooms means
greater influence on future generations of college-bound high school seniors,
because teachers often encourage their best students to apply for admission
to Michigan Tech," concluded Neumann.

For more information about English Education at Michigan Tech, contact
Dr. Charles Nelson at (906) 487-3232 or cwnelson@mtu.edu.